Aaron Cresswell says West Ham star has changed his mind over former teammate Dimitri Payet

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Hammers ace Aaron Cresswell says one particular West Ham star has changed his mind over former teammate Dimitri Payet.

Would you believe it has been over five years since the ridiculously talented Payet left West Ham.

There is no doubt the Frenchman is one of the best players to have graced West Ham United in the modern era.

His acrimonious departure in January 2017 sullied his name with many West Ham fans who had adored him.

The French wizard effectively downed tools to force a return to Marseille five years ago.

And it came just months after he was made one of the highest paid players in West Ham’s history and received a £1million loyalty bonus payment (Telegraph).

Reports at the time revealed how Payet suddenly completely cut himself off from his teammates to force through a £25m return to Marseille.

Hammers captain Mark Noble recently confirmed as much when speaking to fellow West Ham academy graduate Rio Ferdinand for his YouTube show Vibe with Five.

And Noble – who selected Payet as one of the best five stars he has played with – said he wished the playmaker had reached out to him before the messy West Ham divorce.

Payet is still ripping it up with Marseille at the grand age of 34.

The mercurial talent often played in front of long-serving West Ham left-back Aaron Cresswell.

Nowadays it is Declan Rice who is the talisman at West Ham.

Both players were discussed when Cresswell took part in an interview with The Times.

And Cresswell says West Ham star Rice has changed his mind over Payet when it comes to choosing the best player he has ever played with.

“In the past, I said Dimitri Payet is the best I’ve ever played with,” Cresswell told The Times.

“But given his progression it’s probably Dec now. I’m not saying it because he’s at West Ham: I believe he’s the best in his position in the world.

“Some might disagree, but from what I see, day to day and in games, over the last two years he’s kicked on another level.

“You look at the way he is for England, he’s so athletic, he’s got absolutely everything to be world class – and I believe he already is.”

It’s hard to argue with Cress on this one.

Now just take a moment to imagine Payet and Rice in the same West Ham team!

Interestingly, Noble recently chose Rice and Cresswell – as well as Payet – as three of the five best he has ever played with at West Ham.

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